Australian Velvet Ant vs Gray Bird Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Velvet Ant | Gray Bird Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephutomorpha queenslandica | Schistocerca nitens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Mutillidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 8-15 mm | 35-55 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | Australia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Velvet Ant
An Australian wingless wasp with orange and black velvety coloring. It parasitizes ground-nesting native bees in tropical and subtropical Queensland.
Did You Know?
Australian velvet ants are far less studied than their American counterparts, with many species still awaiting formal description.
Gray Bird Grasshopper
A large, strong-flying grasshopper of arid western North America. It is closely related to the desert locust but does not form true swarms.
Did You Know?
It can fly several kilometers in a single flight, making it one of the most mobile grasshoppers in North America.